Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective languorous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of languorous are lackadaisical, languid, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is it sensible to use lackadaisical instead of languorous?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and languorous are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of languorous?

The synonyms languid and languorous are sometimes interchangeable, but languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

When would listless be a good substitute for languorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to languorous, listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients
listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

In what contexts can spiritless take the place of languorous?

The meanings of spiritless and languorous largely overlap; however, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of languorous The film moves at the languorous speed of a humid summer day. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025 The whole thing creates a languorous atmosphere during the day, when the most action you might be seduced to take on is the walk to the massage hut for a tension-relieving rubdown. Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 16 July 2025 His Southern drawl sounds like a languorous cross between early Brando and Mr. Blackwell. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 In the summer, people here are too busy enjoying themselves—drinking on patios, reading languorous books, stretching weekends in Crystal Beach or Sherkston out over three, four, five days—to do much of any importance. Aidan Ryan june 4, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for languorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • Ferragamo leaned into languid elegance — soft silhouettes, rich color and covetable bags that reinforce the house codes.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • While not abandoning core design DNA—crisp, modern tailoring, languid sensuality, and oodles of good taste to wit—the brand delivered a collection that felt like a breath of fresh air.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His at-bats over the past two weeks often looked listless.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Hiring was listless across most sectors, especially white-collar industries where activity was flat in August, according to Tuesday’s report.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sorry to all the girlies who are lackadaisical about leaving home and would rather rub their feet together in bed.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Patience is the hallmark of Chinese operators, but the other side of this story is the lackadaisical attitude toward security that remains all too common among Western IT managers.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • More pertinently, if Iroegbunam or Gueye tired or did not screen passes correctly (shown below), Rogers and Emiliano Buendia had huge spaces to receive and turn, owing to Everton’s deep centre-backs refusing to step out.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Or perhaps its author was just exhausted, which would be entirely understandable.
    Liz Schubauer, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • So, yeah, when all was said and done, Jones was exhausted.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike Bacalar, which is relatively new to tourism, Tulum has been transformed from a sleepy backwater into a pumping party town.
    Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Most days are quiet in Armenia’s sleepy southern province of Syunik.
    Michele Crestani, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The charred, partially burned church was still visible, and the pickup truck that crashed through the door just a day ago was outside, with two American flags hanging limp in the truck bed.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • While its focus is on anti-inflammatory philosophy, dining here is surprisingly the opposite of the usual detox clinic fare, without a limp salad leaf in sight.
    Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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